Farndon Marina in Nottinghamshire has completed an upgrade of its pontoon decking after replacing ageing wooden structures with glass reinforced polymer (GRP) solutions from Dura Composites.
Located on the River Trent, the marina provides more than 300 berths across 25 acres of landscaped grounds. Its facilities include fuel and pump-out services, chandlery, a slipway, boat maintenance, secure parking and visitor amenities such as an on-site restaurant.
Dura Composites supplied its d² Dura Grating Mini Mesh in 23mm and 30mm panels, supported by GRP box profiles and bearers. The system offers anti-slip surfaces that retain traction in wet, icy or oily conditions.
According to Dura Composites, the d² Dura Grating reduced embodied carbon at Farndon Marina by 33% compared to standard GRP alternatives. The installation delivered a saving of 37,704kg of carbon, equal to 112 passenger flights from London to Dubai or the work of 1,713 mature trees sequestering carbon for a year.
Joanne Pillinger, Project Manager at Dura Composites, said: “Farndon Marina should be commended for championing sustainability and longevity with their decision to move away from traditional timber for this area of the marina. By futureproofing these pontoons with d² GRP materials from Dura, they’ve ensured the structures can withstand the harsh marine environment, while safeguarding visitors for years to come and preventing the continual rework that comes with using wood. In doing so, they’ve also achieved a major carbon saving and gained peace of mind that the materials are fully recyclable at the end of their decades of use. It’s a clear demonstration of their commitment to protecting both people and the planet.”
The upgrade was completed in time for the marina’s acquisition by Tingdene Group in June 2025. The deal marked Tingdene’s first location on the River Trent and expanded its network to 11 inland and coastal marinas across the UK.
In preparation for the acquisition, a number of improvements were made on site, including new security systems, upgraded amenity buildings, additional workshops and office space. The new decking formed part of these modernisation efforts.
